DETROIT -- When starter Felix Doubront only gave the Red Sox five innings (and 102 pitches) on Sunday, it meant that the Red Sox hadto do exactly what they didn't want to do: get into their bullpen in the middle innings.

Somewhat predictably, it didn't end well.

The Sox were already somewhat shorthanded with Franklin Morales out with a left pectoral strain, and likely heading to the disabled list.

Junichi Tazawa a scoreless sixth inning, and then John Farrell made the surprising decision to start the seventh with the beleaguered Andrew Bailey, who lost the closer's role after blowing his second save of the week on Thursday.

Bailey faced three hitters and gave up base hits to two, with one coming around to score the go-ahead run.

It seemed a curious move to go with Bailey in a one-run game in the seventh, after Farrell had vowed to have Bailey work his way back into the mix with low-leverage situations.

"That's where we were in the bullpen,'' said Farrell. "We needed to stay away from, obviously, Morales, who wasn't available. [Alex] Wilson only had a certain number of pitches available. We're in a one-run game if we go to extra innings, it's hard to say who's going to be available.

Farrell said bringing back Tazawa for a second inning of work wasn't much of an option.

"Possibly, but being in the game two nights ago and [warmed up] twice the night before that,'' said Farrell, "this was three of the last four days and we're trying to be careful with him.''

***Outfielder Shane Victorino left the game in the top of the eighth inning, leaving for pinch-hitter Daniel Nava.

Victorino caught a fly ball in the sixth and slammed into the wall. Two innings later, when it was his turn to hit, he couldn't move well and came out.

"General soreness,'' explained Farrell of the outfielder. "General tightness after he caught that ball. He slammed into the wall.''

Victorino has missed time on three different this season with back issues, including a stint on the disabled list in late April.

"We'll get a full workup done on him [Monday],'' said Farrell.

Sean McAdam serves as Comcast SportsNet's MLB Insider. Read more from Sean here, or follow him on Twitter or Facebook.